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# 1 Subject and object: recap

Before introducing complements, let us review subjects and objects.

## Activity 1 Complete the sentence

Allow about 5 minutes

Which word or phrase could complete the following sentence?

ἡ Ἀφροδίτη φιλεῖ __________

- Vocabulary
- Ἀφροδίτη, -ης, ἡ    Aphrodite
- φιλεῖ         loves (from φιλέω, I love)
- κόρη, -ης, ἡ      girl
- Ξάνθιππος, -ου, ὁ   Xanthippos

τὴν κόρην
ἡ κόρη
τὸν Ξανθίππον
[a noun in the accusative case]
[a noun in the nominative case]

### Discussion

The sentence starts with a noun in the nominative case, ἡ Ἀφροδίτη. The nominative case ending shows that Aphrodite is the subject. The sentence continues with a verb (φιλεῖ), showing what Aphrodite is doing. The meaning of the verb prompts a question: ‘who or what does Aphrodite love?’, which raises the expectation of an object. A noun in the accusative case would satisfy this expectation and complete the sentence.

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OpenLearn - Getting started on ancient Greek
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